When the winter cold sets in, keeping your home warm and cozy is a top priority. Your home’s heating system plays a vital role in your comfort during the frigid months, but you need to take care of it to ensure that it runs efficiently all winter long.

Want to prepare your heating system for winter? Here are some top heater tips from ProSkill to master winter warmth.

Key Takeaways:

• Taking care of your home’s heating system helps it function properly throughout the winter.
• Performing routine maintenance and furnace repairs is key for avoiding major winter breakdowns.

Change Air Filters Regularly

Air filters are important for your heater’s efficiency and indoor air quality. Over time, your air filters become clogged with dust, dirt, and debris that obstructs airflow and makes your heater work harder to circulate warm air.

Changing your air filters is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to improve your heater’s performance. How often you change them depends on several factors, including your level of usage and the type of filter you have. In general, you should change your air filters at least every three months.

There are several benefits to changing out your air filters, including:

• Improved airflow:Clean air filters allow air to flow more freely through your vents, making your heating more consistent.
• Better indoor air quality:Your air filters trap a lot of dust, pollen, and other contaminants. Cleaning them regularly improves indoor air quality by keeping all of that from ending up in your indoor air.
• Energy savings:Having a dirty air filter makes your HVAC system work much harder to pump warm air into your home. A clean air filter reduces the strain on your heater, leading to energy savings and lower utility bills.

Seal Drafts and Insulate

Drafts and poor insulation can significantly impact your heater’s efficiency. Small air leaks allow cold air to enter your home and warm air to escape, making it more difficult for your system to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Identifying and sealing these drafts can make a significant difference in both your comfort and energy bills.

Here are some areas to check for drafts:

• Doors:Check for gaps around doors and windows. Seal any leaks with caulking and weatherstripping.
• Windows:Inspect your windows for any cracks or gaps. Consider using weatherproofing film or installing double-glazed windows for better insulation.
• Outlets and switches:Air can escape through electrical outlets and switches on exterior walls. You can install outlet insulators or foam gaskets to seal them or hire a professional to handle your insulation.
• Attic and basement:Inspect your attic and basement for insulation gaps and add insulation as needed. You may want to hire a professional contractor to inspect and repair your attic and basement insulation.

Repairing your insulation is a small measure that can dramatically improve your home’s heating and efficiency. You can keep all that warm air inside and reduce the workload on your heater for more comfort and lower energy bills.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat helps you automate your home’s heating according to your preferences to reduce your energy usage and optimize performance. For example, you can set your thermostat lower while you’re at work all day, then set the temperature to increase to return to a cozy home.

Another option is a smart thermostat, which automatically adjusts to your heating patterns and preferences. You can control your smart thermostat through your smartphone app.

There are plenty of ways you can optimize your heat with a programmable thermostat, such as:

• Setting lower temperatures at night
• Allowing gradual temperature adjustments for more energy efficiency
• Implementing zoned heating to control heat in your main living spaces and reduce heat to unoccupied areas

Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Though you may only use your ceiling fans in the summer, they can be helpful for your home’s comfort in winter as well. The reverse switch on your ceiling fans switch the direction of your blades’ rotation to run clockwise, which pushes warm air from the ceiling down into the room.

It’s simple to switch your ceiling fan. Just locate the reverse switch on the ceiling fan to “clockwise” and adjust the fan speed to “low.” This will ensure that you don’t create too much of a draft, but there’s still enough warm air circulation.

There are several benefits to using ceiling fans during winter:

• Better energy efficiency:With warm air being pushed down and circulated through your home, you can ensure that your home stays comfortable without taxing your system.
• Improved heat distribution:If you have high ceilings, warm air rises and gets trapped close to the ceiling instead of in the room. With the ceiling fans running and pushing warm air down, you get better air distribution and more comfort.

Use Fireplaces and Space Heaters

Depending on the size and layout of your home, your central heating system may not be able to heat your entire home without added wear and tear. If you spend a lot of time in only certain room, it may help to use supplemental heat sources like fireplaces and space heaters.

Here are some options for supplemental heat:

• Fireplaces:If you have a fireplace, you can use it to provide additional heat to primary living spaces and add a cozy feel to your home.
• Space heaters:Portable space heaters are helpful for warming certain rooms without increasing the heat in the entire home.
• Radiant floor heating:Radiant floor heating systems can be installed into your main living areas or throughout your entire house.
• Ductless mini-split systems:Ductless mini-split systems offer zoned heating, allowing you to customize the temperature in different spaces in your home.

There are many benefits of supplemental heating options. You can use supplemental heating in just specific areas to reduce overall energy consumption or adjust the temperature to your liking in different rooms according to each family member’s preferences. Overall, supplemental heating reduces the workload on their central heating system.

Optimize Your Thermostat Placement

Where you put your thermostat can affect how your heating system operates. To ensure accurate temperature readings and efficient heating, it’s important for your thermostat to be on an interior wall, out of direct sunlight and other heat sources and away from drafts. You should avoid installing a thermostat near doors or windows, which can have significant temperature fluctuations.

When your thermostat is in the right place in your home, you can gain more accurate temperature readings based on your home’s actual temperature. You’ll also have more efficient heating because your heating system won’t be responding to false temperature readings from drafts or direct sunlight.

Use Your Curtains and Window Coverings

Curtains and window coverings can go a long way in keeping your home warm during winter. They add a layer of insulation to your home’s windows, helping to retain heat and prevent cold drafts.

It’s best to open curtains during the day to let in natural sunlight and take advantage of solar heat. At night, close your curtains to create an additional barrier against cold air entering your home. You can also get thermal curtains to provide extra insulation and keep the warm air inside.

Embrace Layering and Warm Clothing

Before you reach for the thermostat, consider layering up and wearing warm clothing. Sweaters and thermal tops keep you warm at lower indoor temperatures, giving your heating system a break over a long winter.

There are other ways you can improve the coziness of your home without raising the thermostat, such as using area rugs in large spaces for an added layer of insulation that keeps them comfortable. Blankets also help you stay cozy on the couch in the evenings when the temperature drops.

Set the Right Temperature

Though it may be tempting to crank up the heat when it’s cold outside, that can tax your system and increase your energy bills. It’s important to set the right temperature on your thermostat to achieve optimal comfort and energy efficiency.

During the day, the recommended indoor temperature is about 68°F to 72°F for general comfort. At night the optimal temperature is around 65°F. Maintaining cooler temperatures while you sleep can promote better rest and save on energy.

Schedule a Pre-Winter Heater Inspection

It’s important to schedule a pre-winter heater inspection long before the winter hits. This ensures that your heater is functioning at its best and ready to handle the demands of a long winter. Your HVAC technician will check for potential problems, clean the components, and perform any furnace repairs to optimize performance.

There are numerous benefits with a pre-winter heater inspection:

Improved efficiency: A well-maintained heater operates more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and your heating bills.

Enhanced safety: Your HVAC technician will check for any safety concerns, such as gas leaks or faulty electrical connections that can prevent a safety hazard during your heating season.

Preventative measures: Identifying and addressing potential problems early can prevent major breakdowns and costly furnace repairs that strike in the middle of the busy season.

Keep Your Home Cozy with Furnace Repairs and Maintenance

Mastering winter warmth requires regular furnace repairs and maintenance, checking up on your furnace’s health, and making small energy-efficient changes in your home to keep it cozy. By being proactive and attentive to your heating system’s needs, you can stay comfortable and warm all winter long.

If you need routine maintenance or furnace repair, contact us at ProSkill to schedule an appointment!